Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Patriots pick up converted tackle in trade with Lions

The New England Patriots acquired tackle Michael Williams in a trade with the Detroit Lions Wednesday in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick.

Williams, 24, was a seventh-rounder out of Alabama. At 6-6, 304-pounds, he was drafted by Detroit as a tight end and spent his rookie season in 2013 on injured reserve. Williams converted to offensive tackle last spring and spent the 2014 season on the Detroit practice squad.

The Patriots, meanwhile, released rookie defensive back Jimmy Jean. Jean, 26, was originally signed as a rookie free agent out of Alabama-Birmingham.